Optus signs NBN Co satellite agreement

Optus has signed a five-year agreement with NBN Co to operate two satellites that will deliver high-speed broadband to rural and remote Australia.

The telco will provide tracking, telemetry and control services for the new satellites, planned to launch into orbit in 2015 as part of the National Broadband Network.

Matt Dawson, from NBN Co's satellite division, said the satellites would deliver a dedicated broadband service for 200,000 homes, farms and businesses in remote parts of the country.

"The NBN Co satellite service is key to bridging the divide between the city and the bush," he said in a statement on Monday.

"It can give people in the outback, remote regions and Australia's overseas territories access to economic and social opportunities."

The two new Ka-band NBN Co satellites will be controlled from Sydney's northern suburb of Belrose.

Optus already has five satellites in orbit with another planned for launch in 2014.